Genesis 44:19

19 “My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

Genesis 44:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:19

My lord asked his servants
The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother?
which question followed upon their saying that they were the sons of one man, ( Genesis 42:11 ) ( 43:7 ) .

Genesis 44:19 In-Context

17 “No,” Joseph said. “I would never do such a thing! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”

18 Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.

19 “My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

20 And we responded, ‘Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him very much.’

21 “And you said to us, ‘Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.’